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Blueberry jam with lemon verbena, British jubilee with venom verbiage

Steve was very happy when Susan of the delightful Susan eats London gave a bloggy boost to his pressure on Michelle for more blueberry jam. Michelle had been avoiding making more for fear it would once again cook out too thick. But when Steve bought a few “extra” quarts at this Saturday’s market, she made another batch, and some sweet cream biscuits to boot. The chopped fresh lemon verbena in this version adds just a touch of herby tartness that plays up the sweet blueberry flavor.

Steve happily scarfed up a couple of buttery jam-topped pre-photo-shoot biscuits and went off to the chicken yard to share baking scraps with the flock. He returned to find Michelle on the back porch with an afternoon tea set with Gourmandistan’s wedding china, a ceremony never actually performed within our borders. When asked why she was creating the impression that Gourmandistanis not only take tiffin, but do it in this fashion, Michelle (taking the patient tone she usually does when explaining things to Steve that seem obvious to everyone over the age of seven) answered that the pictures are just a fantasy—a vision of a lifestyle most people can only imagine, like “Downton Abbey” or “The Jewel in the Crown.”

One reason Michelle must explain this again and again to Steve is the fact that he stubbornly clings to a lesson he learned from “Schoolhouse Rock” around the age of seven: royalty sucks. Some find this sentiment confusing, given Steve’s penchant for staying in old castles and chateaux, swanning about expensive restaurants and writing as if he’s the poncy old laird of some imaginary fiefdom. However, Steve sees no conflict between expensive tastes, expansive vocabularies and equal opportunity for all. He even entertains the argument that the institution of dynastic monarchies helped foster the arts and sciences he so loves. And he understands that many people around the world in places such as the Netherlands and Britain view their royal families as a kind of menagerie of mostly adorable, mostly harmless (though very, very, very expensive) pets.

But Steve totally fails to understand how so many Americans can buy into this silly nonsense. From the country club dandy detailing his connections in Burke’s Peerage to the Tea Party soccer mom who grows misty-eyed at the mention of Princess Di, in Steve’s opinion, too many citizens of these United States forget something important: While dreaming of princes and princesses may be pleasant, supporting actual princes and princesses makes one a peasant.

So while Gourmandistan certainly wishes those in Britain a wonderful Jubilee weekend, we also wish the U.S. media would give us a break with the royalty-watching. July 4th is only a month away, people, and blueberry season will be over by then. Get busy jam-making now, and spend the rest of the time studying up on your Declaration of Independence.

Put blueberries, lemon juice, lemon verbena, lemon rind and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes.

Add sugar. (Note: Allen recommends warming the sugar in the oven before adding. We’ve made this recipe with warmed sugar and with sugar just out of the pantry. To us, it really hasn’t made any appreciable difference.) Stir until sugar is dissolved. Boil until jam is set. Typically, jam sets at 220° on a candy thermometer. This one tends to set much earlier. To determine if set, put a bit on a plate that has been in the refrigerator. If jam wrinkles even a bit when pushed with your finger, it’s set.

Place in sterilized jars. We never really “can” our jam, but simply stick the jars in the freezer. It’s much easier that way, doesn’t steam up the kitchen like canning does and we don’t worry about killing someone with botulism or something like.

I know one Brit who certainly agrees with you regarding your “royalty as expensive pets” theory. They’re loved, indeed, but one does wonder whether one can really afford them any longer. Your lavender tea service (and photos) are oh so pretty! Can’t wait to try lemon verbena in my blueberry jam.

I love all of us plebians staging fictional tea parties and elaborate dinner services for our blog photos. Is there *really* someone waiting patiently in the wings while I carefully place my braised artichokes just so in matching blue-and-white crockery and sprinkle the table decoratively, and pointlessly, with thyme? What the heck are hot chilis doing on that napkin, and who the heck is going to eat that plate of five macarons doing wheelies, surrounded by fallen blossoms? Impostors all!

That said (ahem!) I love the ‘tea service’ photograph, and am thrilled that you posted the blueberry jam recipe. As for the Queen? Well I was NOT one of the million thronged on the banks of the Thames, nor is there a single bit of bunting to be found in my flat. But the hat! Did you see the Queen’s hat? It was like an elaborate pastry. I’d eat it with some of your blueberry jam.

My sentiments exactly. I used to scoff at the beribboned cookies, the artfully strewn ingredients and such. Hell, I used to be bothered by flatware placed in unnatural places and even by napkins under plates. But then I succumbed.

And you’re right. The hat was grand. Just don’t tell Steve I said that.

Haha! I was just saying to my husband this morning that you’d think that she was our queen with all of this coverage. Then my daughter exclaimed, “But she *is* our queen!” And then the conversation turned to the Revolutionary War…in six year old terms, of course. :-) Lovely china, and even more lovely jam.

Love the china and if it was in my home I would be using it every chance I got. It is funny how we all save the beautiful things behind cabinet doors because they are the “good dishes”. We will grow old and they will still be like new.

Oh, give me the anglophile fantasy any time! Laird or plebian, the photos are gorgeous (exquisite china, staging, lighting, the works). If ye must serve up your antioxidants in this grand fashion, feel free. We want more!